Scrabble Debut

They day began well - time with Jesus and a bit of Bible study prep. 

I didn't get a workout in - because I lost track of time during said time with Jesus.

Arielle and I dropped off  Michael to have the forgotten staple removed and drove across town to drop the van off to have the bumper fixed. We picked up Michael, stopped at Rite Aide and came home.

I cooked a hot lunch for Michael and me.

I did couch school with Zander and Stacia. Nolan surprised us with a great comparison paper on Two of William Blake's poems. We discovered the new Zeta book has gone missing again. I think I'm the only homeschooler who buys the same text over and over and over again.

The older two had Japanese. I folded laundry and talked to my Mom on the phone.

I cooked dinner. Stacia made "lemonade" with what we took to be lemons from the Hispanic produce market....but they couldn't have been. Oddest tasting fruit I've seen since Durian.

Arielle spent the night sewing on her "babysitting bag." The rest of us played a game of Scrabble.

Michael and I used to play this alot when we were first married. Until I got mad at always losing. He LOVES this game and so for Christmas I bought the deluxe board and determined to be a better loser. This was the boys first game and they did well.  In fact Zander finished only four behind Michael.

I got the "Jamin award." ::wink:: I was 4th winner. BUT I know HOW to enjoy Scrabble....and all the earthy words were MINE - all mine. ::snort::

I tried to sell Michael on house rules....whoever gets all their tiles out there in a pretty design first wins - doesn't matter what words they may or may not make. No dice.

Michael had a rough afternoon with pain management. I'm sure it had to do with being out this morning. If nothing else this was confirmation he's  not ready to be back at work - or driving.  It's actually turned out wonderful to have the van in the shop and Michael at  home this week. Arielle and I can juggle our schedules and the one car. LOL

Still Life - Christa Parrish

Still Life, by Christa Parrish is an EXCELLENT book.  A plane crash, photography, glimpses into a religious cult, clear distinctions between an angry and a just/loving God, hurting families ensnared in their choices....very good read. I laughed, I ranted, I cringed, I cried, I thought deeply. This book moved me.

 I want a sequel! I want to know what happens with Adah. I want to see Ethan mature in his faith and profession.

This is a story of loss, hope, renewal, restoration and the providence of God. It is also a story of community....families, friends, church body.

I will look for more books from this author.

Their Blurb: A tragic plane crash. One woman who lost her husband. Another who gave up her seat for him.

Adah spent her first twenty-five years with her family as part of a fringe religious sect. Her only contact with the outside world was through customers at their farm store. Then she met Julian, a photojournalist who'd come to document their lifestyle. They eloped mere days later and Adah was thrust into a completely new life as a wife, city-dweller, and an individual allowed to make her own decisions. But she has no idea who she is.

On her twenty-sixth birthday, Julian plans to fly home from an assignment to give her her first-ever birthday present. He's thrilled when Katherine Cramer gives up her seat so he can make the flight. But the plane crashes and everyone on board is killed, including Julian.

Adah is completely at a loss, with no friends and no marketable skills. When Julian's last photographs are published, her life erupts into chaos. She begins travelling-with Julian's camera for a companion-searching for answers to who she is and what she really wants.

Meanwhile, Katherine must live with the knowledge of why she gave up her seat-to extend her affair one more night. She recognizes her survival as a second chance to save her marriage. But is it too late?

When Adah's and Katherine's paths cross, they discover that there's still life ahead for both of them.

Author Bio: Christa Parrish is the author of five novels, including the 2009 ECPA Book of the Year Watch Over Me and the Christy Award-winning Stones for Bread. She lives in upstate New York with her husband, writer and pastor Chris Coppernoll. They have four children in their blended family.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review; I am disclosing this in accordance with the FederalTrade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Laid Back Sunday

Michael was in rough shape this a.m. and is obviously not ready to be out and about. He's lengthening the time between pain meds. This is good. He's still nauseated now and again.  He told us to go ahead and go to chapel and he'd hold the fort down at home.

Arielle began this - the men finished it

After church I invited several other women whose husband's were gone to go out with the kids and me. It was an impromptu, fun opportunity to connect. If I lived on base I'd have more folks just come on over - but most really don't appreciate the drive to our home. I'm QUITE used to driving at least 30 minutes to get anywhere at this point.  Well - except for the Walmart but I'm evaluating my continued trips to THAT spot.

We've spent another relaxing day at home. It is unreal to have Michael around so much....is this what retirement will be like? Without the pain and meds? ::snort:: 

Choosing Joy!
©2015 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Chocolate Fudge Balls (Sugarless)

These are a treat.  I ate exactly one of them - doubt I could eat two. Very rich. These are sugar free, dairy free, gluten free (I think), oil free - and delicious. Who knew sugar-free could taste this good!?

Ingredients
3/4 C pitted dates
1/2 C raw pecans (used what I had)
2 T unsweetened coco powder
2 T unsweetened coconut
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/16 tsp salt
1 handful of mini-chocolate chips, OPTIONAL

Directions
Combine all ingredients in a food processor and process until a fine crumble forms. If the mixture is too dry, add up to 1 T of water.

Transfer the dough to a gallon size plastic bag and SMUSH into a ball. Break off pieces of dough and "roll" - I had to SMUSH - into balls.

Store covered at room temp up to 3 days, refrigerate for up to 2 weeks, or freeze for us to 2 months.

Per fudge ball - calculated at 10 balls
Calories - 45
Fiber - 2 grams
Protein - .5 gram
Fat - 2 grams
Carbs - 8 grams
Weight Watchers Points - 1

I was pleased to find my new cookbook, Chocolate-covered Katie, has several recipes which use dates or fruit and no sugar.

Many of you know I've not had chocolate in any consistent way in years and none at all for months and months.  I've recently begun to think quite possibly God is after something new in my life - focusing not on the chocolate but sugar (even the "healthy" options).  I'm determined not to be mastered by any food. I'm off all but fruit sugar for at least six weeks. As most chocolate "treats" are loaded with either dairy or sugar most chocolate is out anyway and I've spent the time praying about what to do at the end of six weeks.  And yes, I would eat these sparingly on a  Daniel Fast. Because I don't think fasting means you have to eat cardboard - and there is no sugar or animal products in these - all plant based - but you will need to do what your conscience or the Holy Spirit impresses on YOU.

I used to be terrified of dates - now I'm thankful for the ugly things!

Choosing Joy!
©2015 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

It Had To End.....

I knew we'd eventually need to put Christmas away. We deliberately left it  up until 6 Jan. I thought I'd pack it all away the afternoon of the 7th when I brought Michael home from his "same day" surgery. You know how well that plan worked.

The kids and I tackled it today. I discovered the root of my reluctance.  As we took things down we decided which things we love enough to keep and store for a decade or so....and which had to go. All the outside lights, wireless music, candy canes and light shows....nativities, signs, books, movies etc....we did it. We even took photos to start a FB album for locals and family to claim things before I take them to the thrift store....now I wonder if I should start stacking things in a side of the garage for a big garage sale. What do you think?

This missionary call is hard core. We've been simplifying for the past five years and here we are. At the point where we will need to decide what is really important enough to pay to store and what we can let go of.

Yes, there is the pull of "things." We are at the peak of our earning potential. We have "things." They are nicer than they were when we first married. They are probably nicer than we will be able to replace them with when we "really retire." Yet, it's not the "things" that made me sniffle as I packed away Christmas.

It was the fact  I needed to keep aside Arielle's Christmas Stocking and ornaments as she may well not be with us in Japan.  Yes, we do talk like we are going to Japan. We believe we will. God hasn't told us anything differently. The assurance grows. It certainly won't hurt to simplify if we DON'T go overseas....but again it wasn't the things. It was realizing  embracing this new dream means letting go of the older dream. The one where we moved to a house in a small town and lived for the remainder of Stacia's childhood, within a days drive from the big kids and Bowers, surrounded by all our things.  Somehow it was easier to let go of the old dream when it was years away....we are now months away from either buying a home in a small town or giving the majority away and putting the rest into storage.

 It's the saying goodbye to say hello....the saying goodbye flat out hurts. Most days I'm o.k. with it all - other days I am terrified  I'll miss out on being vital to grand kids, spending time with aging parents, growing old with girlfriends and more.....

So, today, I am a bit blue....excited about where God is leading....counting the cost and understanding more and more why our family word was and continues to be -  Courage......

 

From 13 boxes, many BIG TOTES down to this....and most of it won't be going overseas in a suitcase. 

Nolan laughed at this.....look what I found in a box in the garage. It turns out we had a couple of unpacked boxes from the move.  We haven't had a tape player for years - but by golly we have tapes. Nolan remembers spending hours in Alaska rewinding tapes after I discovered him unwinding them. ::snort::  I guess we should have a big unwinding party. That could be fun.

And because the day hadn't been emotional enough I decided to get a year of the blog ready to print. The next year up was 2011 (doing really early one and a sort of current one concurrently). 2011. The year some of our greatest fears materialized.  There are some photos, some  memories which instantly make my gut clench, my eyes threaten to water...and that time....We still live the repercussions of that event.

WHY would we go back? It's not 100% safe.

How can we NOT go back?

Choosing Joy!
©2015 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

The Staple Incident

I didn't get a lot of sleep last night. There are two reasons for this - Michael freaked me out with the "staple incident" and I started a good book I couldn't put down.

Michael discovered the doc had left a staple in when he removed the staples. He got some needle nose pliers and commenced to remove the staple himself. I helpfully suggested this was not the wise course of action. I did.

He continued.

"Ouch."

"Here De'Etta, you try this."

ACK. I explained I couldn't pull Stacia's tooth. I have to call Zander. I suggested we call Zander. I tried to do it. I tried to really go to a happy place and do it...but ugh.

After a few more attempts Michael asked me to google surgery staples.

UGH the photos....but we discovered that they are shaped like a W....um....needle nose pliers aren't going to work.

"De'Etta, I think if we snip them with wire cutters...." Oh.my.word.

He got nauseated - very nauseated. I gave him the anti-nausea meds and the man went to sleep - staple intact. I did not sleep.

The surgeon told us to come back in Monday.

There are no photos accompanying this post for obvious reasons - I was too FREAKED OUT to take photos.

Choosing Joy!
©2015 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Stacia REALLY Likes Being With ME!

 Today, Stacia told me I'm just FUN.

Yep - me.

She said that I'll always be fun and she loves to spend time with me.

I needed to hear that at the end of a couple of weeks that seem to have taken on a life of their own.

Stacia and I left home early to go to a new favorite spots of ours. We've been determined to explore OUR AREA - rather than driving to the bigger towns nearby.

This determination led us to find Duke's Diner last week. Duke's has been family owned since 1962.  It's close to home. It's a hole in the wall - but we like it.  The waitress knows everyone's name -  but ours - maybe in time?  They have a lunch counter. Everyone's friendly. We see a lot of good, ole' normal folks - of all varieties and we love it.

Stacia said Awful Annie's is her first choice and from all the spots we've been Duke's Diner is her second choice. That's pretty good.

We were so impressed last Saturday a.m. we took the kids to lunch here on Sunday.  We got a kick out of a young boy who walked in, looked around, and said, "My WHOLE LIFE I've wanted to eat in a restaurant like this."  He was enamored with the lunch counter. There aren't a lot of vegan options - but there is a salad...and it was a good salad.

The others loved their super burgers and chicken.

"We've" also had oatmeal, French toast, and crepes. All has been yummy....

Today they brought Stacia's hot chocolate with sprinkles on it.  ::grin::

Directly across from Duke's is a Hispanic Produce market. I remembered the produce terminal in San Antonio - also in the Hispanic section of town - and I had great hope I'd found another treasure. Um....not so much.  There wasn't a lot of produce inside...some but not  a lot....

 And in the midst of it all - she told me I'm fun! She loves spending time with me. I always find interesting things to do.  Sweet words indeed.

Choosing Joy!
©2015 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...